F1: Frenchman Esteban Ocon sidelined by Haas for the Mexican Grand Prix

French Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon has been sidelined by his Haas team for the Mexican Grand Prix, contested on Sunday November 1 (9 p.m.), and will be replaced by Japanese reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa, his team informed Saturday October 31.

“The TGR Haas F1 Team announces that its reserve driver, Ryo Hirakawa, will replace Esteban Ocon for the end of the Mexico Grand Prix weekend (...). No further comments will be made at this time,” the American team said in a press release, while qualifying takes place this Saturday (10 p.m.) and the Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Frenchman, 16th in the drivers' standings this season, had seven points in 18 Grands Prix this season. He had obtained his best race ranking (8th) during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26, and remained on a 15th place in Bahrain, a 13th place in Singapore and a 14th place in Austin (United States), last weekend.

For his part, Ryo Hirakawa has yet to score any Grand Prix points this season, having not yet started a race before this weekend. As a reserve driver for the Haas F1 Team, he only participated in free practice sessions throughout the season.

Esteban Ocon considered it necessary to provide “clarifications” following his sanction.

"Yesterday (Friday) evening, a divergence of points of view gave rise to a discussion between the parties concerned. While I recognize that this exchange did take place, I categorically reject the information or accusations according to which any form of physical violence was used to resolve disputes, whatever they may be", wrote the person concerned on his social networks in the face of the rumors and speculation surrounding him.

Ocon looking for a steering wheel for next season

This sidelining is reminiscent of that which he suffered in 2024 at Alpine. While he was about to leave the team, the Norman was deprived of the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi in order to make way for the Australian Jack Doohan, reserve driver who had been established by the French team for the 2025 season.

And this while Ocon is at the end of his contract at Haas, where he has failed to win in two seasons. Currently without a steering wheel for 2027, while almost all the seats are already taken, he should however remain in F1 and become a reserve driver.

The Norman, from the Mercedes young driver pipeline, is currently competing in his tenth season in Formula 1 and he was due to reach the symbolic mark of 200 Grands Prix next week in Brazil.

Ocon has one victory to his name, obtained in Hungary in 2021, and three other podiums, all achieved with Renault/Alpine. The last dates back to November 2024, when he finished second in the Brazilian GP ahead of his teammate and compatriot Pierre Gasly during a race disrupted by rain at Interlagos.